Mending Piece by Piece

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Podcast by Linda Falasco

Mending Piece by Piece

At some point in our lives we will all experience loss and will have to figure out how to manage the grief that comes with it. Whether you're grappling with the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or even your own identity, it can be hard to find others who understand the pain and challenges that come with it. Join host Linda Falasco who has experienced loss from both sides of the couch. Linda will share her experience as a therapist specializing in loss, grief, and trauma as well as her personal story of trauma and loss along with the grief that came with it. Mending Piece by Piece with Linda Falasco is about giving a voice to loss, grief, and trauma and how it is possible to mend, even if it is piece by piece.
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Latest episodes

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02 July 2024

Finding Hope in Grief After Losing My Brother to Suicide

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Description:

Join Linda Falasco on a deeply personal episode of Mending Piece by Piece as she bravely shares her path to healing after the profound loss of her brother Jeff to suicide. Linda's journey was shaped by action and community support, starting with her involvement in a support group for suicide survivors (SOS group) and connecting with fellow survivors at conferences. Through unexpected opportunities to speak about her grief, Linda's passion for advocacy was ignited.

Linda's grief became a driving force for change as she realized the importance of sharing her story and honoring her brother's memory. By engaging with national organizations, Linda brought crucial awareness and support back to her local community, emphasizing suicide prevention and aiding those affected by loss.

Throughout her transformative journey, Linda's unwavering faith in God and the steadfast support of her family provided the foundation for her work. Together with her husband and children, they have become beacons of hope for others navigating the complex aftermath of suicide loss. Tune in as Linda reflects on discovering profound purpose in her grief and continues to inspire healing and resilience in others.

Key Moments:

        Coping and Taking Action  How Linda turned her grief into action as a means of coping with her brother's suicide.

 

  • (2:28) Coping and Taking Action:  How Linda turned her grief into action as a means of coping with her brother's suicide.

  • (3:51) Finding Comfort in Community: Linda's experience with the SOS group, finding solace and understanding among others who share similar loss.

  • (6:27) Connecting at Survivor Conferences: Attending conferences on suicide loss and connecting with fellow siblings and survivors.

  • (10:12) Igniting a Passion for Advocacy: Linda's first speaking engagement at a conference about her grief sparked a deep passion for advocacy.

  • (14:49) Bringing Awareness to the Community: Linda's efforts to bring suicide prevention awareness and support back to her local community.

  • (20:35) Support from Family: The pivotal role of Linda's husband and children in her healing journey and advocacy work.

  • (21:54) Faith as a Foundation: How Linda's faith in God provided hope and strength during her journey of healing.

  • (24:21) Discovering a Gift in Grief: Linda's reflection on finding profound purpose and meaning in her grief, inspiring others to heal and thrive.

This episode is a testament to the power of community, faith, and personal resilience in navigating the aftermath of suicide loss and finding hope amidst profound sorrow.

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw 

Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw 

TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: https://save.org/

 

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44:45

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18 June 2024

The Unseen Struggles: Navigating Year Two After Suicide Loss

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Episode Description: The second year after losing someone to suicide can often be more challenging than the first. While the initial year is marked by shock and the immediate aftermath of the loss, the second year brings a different set of emotional hurdles. In this episode of Mending Piece by Piece, host Linda Falasco offers a raw and heartfelt account of what to expect in year two after such a traumatic loss.

No one tells you about the second year and how it can be even more difficult than the first. Linda shares the unique challenges that arise when the initial shock wears off and reality sets in. Drawing from her personal and professional experience working with other survivors, she discusses how emotions can feel more raw and pervasive during this period.

As the grieving individual processes the loss more profoundly, there is often a heightened awareness of their loved one's absence. Linda addresses the difficulties of facing a lack of support and changes in relationships. She explores the pain of secondary losses, such as friends who may have moved on or distanced themselves, unable to understand the prolonged nature of grief.

oin Linda as she sheds light on the often-overlooked second year of grief, offering insights and support for those navigating this challenging phase.

Key moments in this episode include:

  • The realizations and emotions after last session on Why (01:31)
  • Reality Sets In: The finality of the loss truly sinks in, bringing a renewed intensity to the grief. (04:52)
  • Lack of Support: Facing the changes and loss of relationships you once had. (17:35)
  • Relationships Change after this loss (26:08)
  • Regressing in Grief: Feelings and thoughts getting worse. (31:15)
  • Second-Year Holidays: Why are the second-year holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries worse? (32:50)
  • Planning for Holidays: Tips and strategies for making holidays more manageable. (34:00)
  • Internal Conflict: Living in the present while getting pulled back into the grief. (41:00)
  • Ongoing Waves of Grief: Understanding that traumatic grief continues and comes in waves for years to come. (43:30)

Tune in to gain valuable insights and find solidarity in your journey through the second year of grief.

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw

Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw

TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at: lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGNKNZTQ

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-after-a-suicide-loss-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1142554837?ean=9798823127516

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: https://save.org/

 

 

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56:27

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04 June 2024

Unraveling Why: Navigating the Aftermath of Suicide Loss

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Description:

In this compelling episode of Mending Piece by Piece Podcast, host Linda Falasco bravely embarks on a poignant exploration of the tumultuous journey that follows the loss of a loved one to suicide. The episode delves deep into the haunting question that echoes in the hearts of survivors: why did their loved one choose this path?

Linda shares candidly about her own search for answers following her brother's suicide, exploring pivotal moments such as uncovering new information that challenges previous narratives. As she reflects on her mother's quest for understanding and the evolving nature of her own "why," Linda reveals the complexities of navigating grief amidst uncertainty and rumors.

Key Moments:

  • (0:00) The overwhelming emotions of suicide loss: sadness, anxiety, and worry.
  • (3:20) Reflections on life's milestones overshadowed by grief and yearning for her brother.
  • (7:25) The significance of searching for meaning after suicide loss in the grief journey.
  • (12:42) Linda's personal quest to understand the reasons behind her brother's suicide.
  • (22:58) Surprising revelations uncovered during her mother's search for understanding.
  • (30:25) The impact of new information on reshaping the narrative and questioning the cause of death.

Through heartfelt storytelling, Linda invites listeners into her deeply personal quest for solace and understanding. The episode delves into profound questions about identity and acceptance, as Linda confronts the ambiguity of her brother's death and its impact on her sense of self as a survivor. Throughout the episode, she grapples with the realization that some questions may never be fully answered.

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw 

Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw 

TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: https://save.org/

 

 
 

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35:49

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31 May 2024

Bonus Episode: Silent Suffering: We Need to Talk About Suicide Among Men

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Episode Description: Did you know that today in the United States, we will lose 132 people to suicide? Out of these, 105 will be men. Our men are in crisis, suffering in silence. In this deeply moving episode of the Mending Piece By Piece podcast, host, Linda Falasco, a mental health therapist specializing in loss, grief, and trauma, confronts this urgent issue head-on.

We reflect on the tragic suicide of professional golfer Grayson Murray, who seemed to have it all but struggled with unseen mental health battles. Despite his success, Grayson's death underscores that mental illness does not discriminate.

Join me as we explore:

  • Startling statistics on suicide among men (02:24)
  • Risk factors of suicide (03:39)
  • Warning signs of suicide (06:09)
  • The unique pressures faced by athletes (07:50)
  • Stigma and negative mindset around men and emotions (08:49)
  • Resources for men and the women supporting them (13:26)
  • Practical steps to support those in crisis (14:33)

Through open conversations, understanding, and compassion, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and save lives. This episode is a call to action for everyone to recognize and address the silent suffering in our midst.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Help is available:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Tune in for a heartfelt discussion on how we can all contribute to Mending Piece By Piece

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw

Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw

TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at: lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGNKNZTQ

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-after-a-suicide-loss-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1142554837?ean=9798823127516

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

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19:48

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21 May 2024

Navigating the First Year After a Suicide Loss

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Description:

The first year following the loss of a loved one to suicide is a tumultuous journey through a landscape of intense emotions. In this episode of Mending Piece by Piece Podcast, host Linda Falasco offers a raw and heartfelt account of what it's truly like to navigate life in the aftermath of such profound loss.

As Linda shares her personal experiences, listeners are invited into the raw depths of grief, where emotions like guilt, shame, sadness, anxiety, fear, and anger converge to create a tumultuous inner world. Amidst this turmoil, survivors are tasked with adapting to their "new normal," a reality that feels alien against the backdrop of a world that continues to move forward, often with little understanding of their pain.

Throughout the episode, Linda bravely confronts the ignorance and stigma surrounding suicide loss, revealing the isolation and shame that can accompany insensitive remarks, even from within the safety of familial bonds. From grappling with intense emotions to navigating the complexities of guilt and fear, Linda sheds light on the common threads that bind survivors in their shared journey through grief.

Key moments in this episode include:

  • Introducing oneself and the podcast (1:20)
  • Coming to terms with the irreparable changes in relationships (5:15)
  • Embracing the "new normal" of life after suicide loss (6:35)
  • Wrestling with chaos and confusion in grief (11:50)
  • Feeling stagnant as the world moves forward (14:00)
  • Confronting ignorance and stigma from within and without (16:10, 17:20)
  • Grappling with the enduring emptiness in the heart (22:00)
  • Finding solace in support groups and compassionate individuals (22:58, 28:53)
  • Struggling with denial and the weight of guilt (29:30, 30:50)
  • Examining the impact of suicide loss on the entire family (32:45)
  • Confronting societal expectations and stigma (37:15)

Join Linda on an intimate exploration of the first year after a suicide loss, as she offers solace, understanding, and validation to those navigating similar journeys of grief. Tune in to Mending Piece by Piece for a poignant reflection on loss, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

 

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw / Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw / TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at 

lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon:

https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: https://save.org/

 

00:00

41:30

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07 May 2024

Silent Echoes: Navigating Life After The Funeral in Suicide Loss

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of death and suicide. We understand that some may find these activating and/or disturbing. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and additional resources. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Description:

In the aftermath of a loved one's funeral, the silence can be deafening. In this poignant episode of Mending Piece By Piece Podcast, host Linda Falasco delves into the profound realities that surface when the busyness of arrangements subsides and grief takes center stage.

After the funeral, questions linger like shadows: why did this happen? What if things were different? The search for answers becomes an internal quest, with no easy resolutions. Amidst the turmoil of suicide loss, the need to understand why becomes a relentless companion, shaping the journey toward healing.

Linda shares her personal experience of grappling with this new reality, from navigating conversations with family to facing investigators and enduring the weight of unanswered questions. At just 25 years old, Linda was confronted with the stark realization that her life would never be the same and the family she knew was shattered, forever changed.

This episode offers profound insights into the complexities of grief after suicide loss, illuminating the nuances that survivors grapple with in their quest for understanding. Through raw honesty and vulnerability, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape the aftermath of such profound loss.

Key moments in this episode include:

  • The sobering realization as reality sets in (1:30)
  • Wrestling with the unanswerable question of "why?" (3:44)
  • The impact of finding a note left behind (7:17)
  • Sensitivity in what questions to refrain from asking survivors (8:50)
  • Navigating encounters with law enforcement (12:25)
  • Memories of Jeff's beloved dog, Hooch (23:44)
  • Strange experiences and searching for meaning in Jeff's room (25:20, 29:48)
  • Making life-altering decisions amidst grief (34:50, 36:25)

Join Linda on a journey through the complexities of grief after suicide loss, as she navigates the silent echoes that linger in the aftermath of farewell. Tune in to Mending Piece By Piece Podcast for a heartfelt exploration of healing and hope in the face of profound loss.

 

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

https://linktr.ee/lindafalascolcsw

Facebook: @lindafalascolcsw / Instagram: @lindafalascolcsw / TikTok: @lindafalascolcsw

YouTube: @lindafalascolcsw 

Sign up for the Mending Piece by Piece newsletter at 

lindafalascolcsw.com/signup 

Mending Piece By Piece After A Suicide Loss: Guided Grief Workbook & Journal to Heal the Survivor's Heart
Barnes & Noble:

Mending Piece By Piece: A Workbook & Journal for Navigating Grief with Hope

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNI8V3I

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-piece-by-piece-lcsw-licsw-linda-falasco/1145157190?ean=9798989510405

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: https://save.org/

 

 

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